Oparanya warns contractors on shoddy work

By BRYAN TUMWA

Kakamega County: Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has warned contractors who do shoddy road construction and maintenance work that they risk being blacklisted.

The governor was speaking in Malava when he launched construction work on the Malava-Samitsi road.

Oparanya said investing in transport infrastructure would increase commerce and facilitate communication between different regions, thereby leading to economic growth.

“It is not just a case of putting murram on the roads but also widening them in preparation for tarmacking. The Malava-Samitsi road in particular will be the first to be tarmacked,” said Oparanya while addressing residents during the launch.

The road is supposed to reduce the distance between Kakamega and Eldoret through Lugari by allowing the route, which has previously been impassable, to serve motorists.

Transport and Infrastructure County Executive Committee Member Alfred Matianyi warned truck drivers against overloading cane being transported to factories.

Some 13 roads have been earmarked for construction and maintenance, which will be done at a cost of Sh500 million.

Some of the roads marked for construction in this financial year include Luandeti-Nzoia, Shinyalu-Khayega, Ibokolo-Shianda, Museno-Mpaka, Bukura-Shibuli and Kona Mbaya-Nzoia.

Others include Liboyi-Munyulia, Ingotse-Navakholo and Matungu-Ogalo. The roads have been identified from each of the 12 constituencies in the county.

Meanwhile, Mumias Anglican Church of Kenya bishop, Beniah Salala, faulted Oparanya’s administration for not allowing for public participation before identifying the road projects to be commissioned.

“We as community members expect that devolved governments would sit down with us to do a needs assessment and establish priority areas before projects are commissioned. But what we are seeing is the exact opposite,” Bishop Salala said.